Whistler‐mode radiation from the Spacelab 2 electron beam

Abstract

During the Spacelab 2 mission the Plasma Diagnostics Package (PDP) performed a fly‐around of the shuttle at distances of up to 300 meters while an electron beam was being ejected from the shuttle. We discuss a magnetic conjunction of the shuttle and the PDP while the electron gun was operating in a steady (DC) mode. During this conjunction, the PDP detected a clear funnel‐shaped emission that is believed to be caused by whistler‐mode emission from the beam. Ray‐path calculations show that the shape of the funnel can be accounted for by whistler‐mode waves propagating near the resonance cone. Because the beam and waves are propagating in the same direction, the radiation must be produced by a Landau, ω/k∥ = vb, interaction with the beam. Other types of waves generated by the beam are also described.